An Ethical Exploration of Barriers to Research on Controlled Drugs

• Published in: American journal of bioethics Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 36 - 47
• Main Authors: Andreae, Michael H., Rhodes, Evelyn, Bourgoise, Tyler, Carter, George M., White, Robert S., Indyk, Debbie, Sacks, Henry, Rhodes, Rosamond
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 02.04.2016
• Subjects: biomedical research; Biomedical Research - ethics; Cannabis; confidentiality and privacy; Controlled Substances; Drug and Narcotic Control - legislation & jurisprudence; Drug and Narcotic Control - trends; Ethics Committees, Research; Ethics, Research; Freedom; Heroin; human subjects research; Humans; informed consent; Informed Consent - ethics; institutional review board; Ketamine; research ethics; Social Justice; United Kingdom; United States; confidentiality and privacy; informed consent; human subjects research; research ethics; institutional review board; biomedical research
• ISSN: 1526-5161; 1536-0075; 1536-0075
• DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2016.1145282

We examine the ethical, social, and regulatory barriers that may hinder research on therapeutic potential of certain controversial controlled substances like marijuana, heroin, or ketamine. Hazards for individuals and society and potential adverse effects on communities may be good reasons for limiting access and justify careful monitoring of these substances. Overly strict regulations, fear of legal consequences, stigma associated with abuse and populations using illicit drugs, and lack of funding may, however, limit research on their considerable therapeutic potential. We review the surprisingly sparse literature and address the particular ethical concerns pertinent to research with illicit and addictive substances, such as undue inducement, informed consent, therapeutic misconception, and risk to participants, researchers, and institutions. We consider the perspectives of key research stakeholders and explore whether they may be infected with bias. We conclude by proposing an empirical research agenda to provide an evidentiary basis for ethical reasoning.